How to provide funeral services in Idaho

Requirements for Idaho Funeral Director Licenses

Do I need a license to provide funeral services in Idaho?

Funeral services are regulated by the State of Idaho. Anyone who performs, offers to perform, or holds themselves out as providing mortician or funeral director services must hold the appropriate license issued by the Idaho Board of Morticians (IBM), unless an exemption applies. Funeral homes and crematories must also obtain separate establishment licenses.

What are the requirements to become a licensed funeral service provider in Idaho?

To become a licensed funeral director or mortician in Idaho, an applicant must first obtain a Resident Trainee license and complete at least one year of supervised training. Resident Trainees must submit an application, be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and train under the personal supervision of a licensed mortician at an Idaho mortuary.

Funeral directors arrange and conduct funeral services, while morticians also perform services such as embalming and preparing human remains. Idaho issues separate licenses for these two professions.

To obtain a funeral director license, a trainee must:

• Submit a Final Report, signed by their supervisor, documenting that they have assisted in making at least 25 funeral arrangements and conducting at least 25 funerals.
• Complete at least 45 semester credits from an accredited college or university, with a minimum C average.
• Complete at least 15 semester credits from an accredited mortuary college.
• Pass the Arts section of the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards’ State Based Examination, as well as the required Idaho law and rules examination.

To become a licensed mortician, a trainee must:

• Submit a signed Final Report documenting that they have assisted in embalming at least 25 human bodies, making at least 25 funeral arrangements, and conducting at least 25 funerals.
• Complete an associate degree from a mortuary school accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education.
• Pass all sections of the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards’ National Board Examination, as well as the required Idaho law and rules examination.

Applicants for either license must be at least 21 years old and meet all other application and licensing requirements established by the Idaho Board of Morticians.

Funeral service providers licensed in another state may also qualify for Idaho licensure by endorsement if they:

• Hold a current, valid license in a state with substantially similar licensing requirements to Idaho. These applicants may qualify for licensure without examination, provided they meet Idaho’s requirements regarding knowledge of state laws and rules; or
• Hold a current, valid license in a state with significantly lower licensing standards than Idaho and have at least five consecutive years of experience as a licensee in that state. These applicants must pass any proficiency examination required by the Board.

How do I apply for an Idaho funeral service license?

You can find the Resident Trainee, Funeral Director, and Mortician applications on the Idaho Board of Morticians website. To obtain an Idaho funeral service license, submit the appropriate application, required fees, and supporting documents to the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL).

Idaho Board of Morticians
Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses
PO Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0063

How much do the Idaho funeral service provider licenses cost?

Are there continuing education requirements for funeral service providers in Idaho?

Morticians and funeral directors must complete at least 10 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their licenses. Continuing education must be relevant to the profession and approved by the Idaho Board of Morticians. Newly licensed providers are exempt from the requirement for their first renewal period.

Are there additional requirements if I want to operate an Idaho funeral services establishment?

If you operate a funeral establishment in Idaho, you must obtain a separate Funeral Establishment License from the Idaho Board of Morticians (IBM).

The Funeral Establishment License requires:

• A licensed Idaho mortician who is an Idaho resident and employed full time at the establishment
• A designated location equipped with an operating room and embalming equipment, a display room for merchandise, a chapel, and a viewing/visitation room
• A completed application, required fees, and a facility inspection

If you wish to operate a crematory in Idaho, you must obtain both a Funeral Establishment License and a Crematory Establishment License. The crematory license requires an application, approved blueprints, documentation for the cremation equipment, a copy of a Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permit, and an inspection.

How do I get a Idaho funeral establishment license?

Complete and submit the Funeral Establishment Application and/or the Crematory Application, fees, and documents to the IBM. Once the application and documents are received, the inspection can be scheduled.

How much does the Idaho funeral establishment license cost?

Funeral establishment application: $100
Original license fee: $250
Crematory application: $100
Original license fee: $400

Does a Idaho mortuary need to be a certain type of business entity?

In addition to becoming an Idaho licensed funeral service provider or establishment; you may want to start your own business. Registering your Idaho business entity with the Secretary of State offers liability protection for funeral directors. Idaho allows funeral service providers to choose the entity that best suits their needs. They may form standard partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies, etc. Idaho does not require entities to include a description of the service (such as the words “funeral home” or “mortuary”) in the business name.

Resources

Idaho Board of Morticians

Idaho Secretary of State